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Next Event: September 24 - 25, 2022 10am-5pm both daysRandolph Street Market 1341 W Randolph St, Chicago
French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Collectibles: French Beaded Flowers

COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

This abundance of riches taken exclusively for this article by Melissa Parks. Her Megillicutti Booth at the May and September Randolph Street Markets, is one of my most favorites. I know I shouldn’t have favorites (and yes, I do have many at RSM, it would be hard not to!!!!) but I find we have basically the same taste in collectibles and lifestyle. I asked Melissa to take some photos of her beaded flower collection. You will see them throughout this piece.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Another Melissa Parks photo…here an arrangement in a vintage cloisonné bowl.

Look for single stems as well as arrangements at many of the RSM dealers. Remember to look under the tables, behind pieces and, as always, buy what you like when you see it or it will go home with someone else!!!!

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Very Victorian, a ribbon tied nosegay or Tussie Mussie.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Found on Pinterest photo credit unknown.

I discovered this charming handcrafted art, (which was extremely popular with the Victorians but then anything romantic was on their lists of crafting), on my first trip to New York, a lifetime ago, at the wonderful long gone specialty store, Bonwit Teller, in their exquisite gift collections. I brought this delightful forget-me-not arrangement home and have added a few other pieces throughout the years.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

This piece from Bergdorf Goodman on another of my zillion New York trips. Both miniatures in Limoges containers and both photos, not my best efforts, taken with my iPhone.

Fitting into my Lily of the Valley Collection, in its clay pot…

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

“Though the main technique used to make beaded flowers is often referred to as French, examples of the art have been found from Italy (where the small glass beads were made), to as far north as England. Stories about the production and use of beaded flowers during this time are generally romantic – peasants gathered up misshaped beads that suited for noblewomen’s dresses, strung them on horsehair or copper wire, and sculpted them into flowers which they later sold to the upper classes.”

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market
“In 1865 Godey’s Ladies Book published beaded flower patterns, and directed women to use them as personal adornments for hair or clothing. Beaded flowers started gaining popularity in America in the early to mid-twentieth century with more patterns and even kits being produced.” Both quotes from Fireserpent.com

Fast forward to 1990 when beading flowers became very popular in the States using glass beads and lots of patience. There are many books available for creating beaded flowers for arrangements and bridal bouquets, an idea I really find charmingly romantic!! Be sure to check RSM dealers, specializing in beads, to see what you can find when the “handcrafting” bug strikes you.

This arrangement in its McCoy vase (and a couple of close ups) is from the BesBen estate auction (the incredible Chicago Milliner), again many years ago.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

I found these glorious examples on Pinterest photo credits unknown.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

An example of a hand bouquet.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

An unusual alternate to flowers that will become an heirloom.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Fabulous shading…

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Amazing chrysanthemums in vintage vase…

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Asian influence…

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Love this, can’t you just see this in an magnificent container, nothing prettier than a mass of the same flower.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Isn’t this spectacular…again the shading is perfection and would be a great centerpiece for a Spring party or on display year round.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Of course, I WANT this for my collection!

Books…sure…

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

And more from the extraordinary creative vision of Melissa Clark

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Arrangement from her miniature marble bird bath collection.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Melissa collects, among many other treasures, peacocks…here holding “blooms” to replicate its feathers.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Melissa, using one color for a dramatic contrast to a weathered pewter bucket on top of brass trays and glass top table…a creative styling genius at work.

Okay, what do you think, do you want to start a new craft and make your own, or are you like me and will continue the quest for authentic French beaded flowers to fill your vintage containers. In any case an art form that might work its way into your collecting thoughts.

French Beaded Flowers Randolph Street Market

Another stunner, talk about a statement piece…

—–
by Nena Ivon
www.nenasnotes.com
www.facebook.com/Nena Ivon
www.instagram.com/nenasnotes

All photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.

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Beads Bergdorf Goodman collectibles collecting flower french jewelry nena ivon patterns randolph street market Tussie Mussie vintage

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Join @katepearcevintage as she explores Randolph Street Market and scores some awesome deals! ⭐️ Watch til the end to see how Kate styles these pieces in her home 😍

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TOMORROW, August 10th at 4:30PM, join us for 🌊 Lakehouse Vintage Market at @fairmontchicago !

There will be more than 20 local vendors focused on vintage home goods, jewelry, paintings and more goods to browse after work. Admission is FREE! 🛍🎉 See you there! 

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Here’s everything @xtinavision found at Randolph Street Market in July! 🤩🛍 Which piece is your fave?! ⬇️

We’ll be BACK in the bustlin’ West Loop ⭐️ Sept 24+25 ⭐️ randolphstreetmarket.com 🔗 Join us!!!

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Hi all, this is Sally, the person who sends you the emails and you see at the front gate, I am the creator, owner and recipient of all bills addressed to the Randolph Street Market. I see it's customary that business owners share their stories and so I shall now. For adults only, I'll see you crossing the street by the way so stop now if you're a prude!!!

Bottom line, I need to have fun - A LOT OF FUN - and any career path I took was going to be in the general direction of downtown FUN CITY!! I think the Randolph Street Market is about the best fun I could ever imagine. It combines the things that are the most fun for me: learning about history, art and fashion; shopping; and socializing with my favorite, most interesting people. What it doesn't do is bore me -- I CANNOT handle boring people or boring places; I am always so happy being home so when I go somewhere it better knock my pantaloons off.

While I now produce this almost 20 yr-old antique market, my professional event career started at age 25 when I opened my own party planning company called Paint Me A Party, renamed in 2000 Image Pilots Global Event Navigators, producers of the "World-Famous Randolph Street Market"! 

But let's go back to a time before big time careers and motherhood, to my childhood as indentured servant growing up in Chicago's northern suburbs. That's where I got my start in the hospitality business as my mother would take me from my comfortable spot in front of the TV and drop me off at her friends' homes, where I was to be "of service" at their dinner parties. I was not asked if I wanted to leave the TV set and spend my Friday and Saturday nights hanging up coats, keeping water glasses full and washing dishes for maybe $5 dollars. 

I'm pretty sure I never actually used soap, just hot water, and once to show the client how much good sanitation meant to me, I went full Christo and wrapped their entire kitchen in Saran wrap including their stovetop, sink and cabinets... they did not value my art installation titled "Meticulous Cleanliness" -- so I was DONE with them!! (read comments for more..!) ⬇️
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